The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-12-01
Washington Letter.
WAsH1NaroN. D. C.. Nov. 26. /,

WASHINGTON. D. g., Nov. 26, 1887.
The President has had so many tariff
with prominent leaders of
the Democracy, that it Is not difficult |
matter to anticipate the position he |
will assume on this question in his
message to Congress. Encouraged by
the verdict in New York, where victo-
ry was won on platform demanding
a reduction of one hundred millions in
the revenue, President Cleveland will
urge the reduction of the revenue to
the above amount, which result it is
proposed to secure by adding to the
free list of imports and cutting down
the duties on the necessaries of life in
auch a way as not to increase the rev.
enue. and also by the repeal of the tax
on raw tobacco.
In the new Congress. there is a
strong probability that Mr. Mills, of
Texas, will be made chairman of the
Ways aud Means committee, which
action will be significant of concert
ed effort for tariff reform.
The great value and Importance of
single vote ia shown by the balance of
power now held by Senator Riddle
berger. for the erratic Virginian is in
a position to almost decide the political
complexion of the United States Sen
ate by his vote on the contests from
Indiana, West Virginia and California
at h a
vest himself of partisan bias, aud en-
desvor to act purely in judicial Ca
pacily.
With fifteen new Senators and one
hundreI new Representatives in the
Fifiieth Congress, there will neeessa-
rily be reorganization OF the com.
uiitees that will be likely to have
perceptibIe effect upon the business
efficiency of that bedy, for many of
Tue niost vigorous workers, men IKE
Logan, Maxay and C0nger, of the
senate. and Morrison, Warner and
| Wallborn, of the House. have disap-
peared from the halls of Legislation,
and their places are mostly filled by
inexperienced men. 1t may seem
strange sagaciops Democratic leaders
are really congrstulating themselves
upon the fact that the party majority
has been reduced from about fifty to a
bakers dozen. During the last Con
gress, when the Democratic majority
| was large, there were so many stray
sheep from the fold, that it was often
difficult to muster the party strength
| when sorely needed; tut i'll the tIf-
tieth Congress, with meager niajorl
ty fer Democracy, all OF our meln oers
will realize their personal responsible
lty, and be more attentive to duty.
| Thus this fact Will inure to the benefit
of the country, as well as the party.
The high joint EisheriesComm mission
has had one or two informal meetings,
aud adjourned till next week, when
negotiations will begin in earnest.
The deliberations Of this diplomatic
body will be watched with much in
terest by two of the greatest nations
of the world, and it Is hoped they will
effect compromise honorable and sat
isfactofy TO both peoples, though the
outlook for such a result does not ap.
pear to be as fattering rs it might be.
: 1t has long been custom in the
; Federal Departments, when the quota
OF State was full, to appoint some
favOrite froa sucE STATE, and charge
the appointment to another State-a
shameful practice of the spoils system
that has crept into the civil service
system. The District of ColumbIo
long ago secured it's full share Uf tht
Government Offices, yet its aspiring
citizens are not satisfied, fer II has
come to the knowledge of the Civil
service Commissioners that y number
of these people have procured appoint
ments by falsely representing them.
selves as residents of The states. Upon
Identification these persons will be
regulations have been adopted thai
VIII prevent such shameless deception
III the future.
On last Thursday, public as well as
private business was suspended, and
the national capitol devoted them.
selves TO holiday festivities. Secretary
Whitney again generously observed
his custem of presenting each Of tie
employees of the Navy Department
with fine, fat turkey. The President
AS is his custom on Thanksgiving day
spent the day quietly at the White
House, attending divine service in the
morning. OF course lhe Chief Magis
Lrste, like the true American citlZ q,
that he Is, h0nored the day in the con
ventionai nianneI-his hospitality be
ing shared by lew female friends VI
tie - first lady"